What’s In My Carry On?

April 7, 2020April 10, 2020 ~ Hannah Rene Brown ~ Leave a comment

What is the one thing you can’t board a plane without?

A blanket scarf?

A favorite snack?

A sedative to survive the flight?

For me, it’s all the things.

My carry on has the same 10 things in it every single flight.

Going to the Caribbean? Same 10 things.

Going to London in the middle of winter? Same 10 things.

Going to a business conference? Same 10 things.

First: sour patch kids. I don’t think I have EVER boarded a plane without them. Funny, but true.

Second: my medication. I can’t risk it being stuck in my luggage, should the unthinkable happen and my luggage be left behind.

Third: my laptop. For obvious reasons.

Fourth: all of my charging cords. Again, no need to explain!

Fifth: a water bottle. I either purchase one at the coffee shop on the way to my gate or I fill the empty one I have brought with me through security.

Sixth: AirPods and iPad. There is not a plane ride in history I am not watching my show during the entirety of the flight whether it be Reno to Los Angeles or Reno to London.

Seventh: a change of clothes. This has been a recent addition to my carry on. Previous to January of 2018, I had a perfect track record. January of 2018 I was stuck in Miami over night on the way to Turks and Caicos. March of last year I was stuck in Los Angeles over night on the way to Sydney, Australia. Safe to say, a change of clothes in the carry on has become a carry on necessity.

Eighth: gum. I have never been one to feel ill on a plane, however, I always bring gum just in case I need a little mint to calm my stomach or help my ears to pop.

Ninth: glasses. I wear contacts so I always have my glasses in my carry on. I usually have sunglasses too.

Tenth: my journal. Within the last six months I have created a morning routine for myself that includes journaling. I like to think I will continue this routine when I am away just like I do when I am home.

Those are my essentials, what are yours?

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! N-Z

April 3, 2020April 3, 2020 ~ Hannah Rene Brown ~ Leave a comment

The minute this pandemic is over, everyone and anyone who once had the travel bug, will have the travel bug ten times over again. After being stuck in one place for what may be several months, reaching for a plane ticket will be such a gift.

How will you pick where to go?

Here are some places I have been and the reason to book your ticket to these countries, towns and cities.

North Vancouver, British Columbia where you will feel revived and refreshed after being surrounded by the damp, lush greenery, tall mountains and deep blue water.

Rome, Italy where the men will stare, the pizza will make you drool and the Vatican will leave you absolutely speechless.

Sorrento, Italy where you will beach all day, drink cold wine by the bottle and eat the most delicious seafood pasta there ever was.

Sydney, Australia where you will feel safer than you do at home and begin to plan to move to your new home that is this dream of a city.

Tangier, Morocco where you will see the blue city that is all over Instagram and you will do what dreams are made of: ride a camel on the beach.

Toronto, Canada where you will watch the Blue Jays and the Raptors while exploring one of the most diverse cities in the world.

Valencia, Spain where you will visit the aquarium and tour the Spanish city on the coast.

Warsaw, Poland where you will eat pierogi and feel as if you are walking through the 1930’s as you wander the ghettos in shock of what took place on this soil less than 100 years ago.

West Bay, Grand Cayman where you will meet the most amazing humans, eat delicious food and have the most amazing Caribbean vacation filled with starfish, stingrays, coconut shrimp and lots of rum.

Pick a place, any place!

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! A-M

April 2, 2020April 3, 2020 ~ Hannah Rene Brown ~ Leave a comment

How will you pick where to go?

Here are some places I have been and the reason to book your ticket to these countries, towns and cities.

Alicante, Spain where you can explore Spanish culture while in a bikini with a churro in one hand and sangria in the other.

Amsterdam, Netherlands where you can be the tacky tourist visiting some of the most famous places in the world: Anne Frank House, Red Light District, Heineken and Van Gogh.

Barcelona, Spain where the party never stops and you can get the best of both worlds: the beach and the tourist attractions.

Brighton, England where you can spend time traveling solo, feeling welcomed and safe in a cozy beachside hideaway.

Cefalù, Italy where you can find a tiny town on the outskirts with a stunning empty beach to tan and snorkel before wandering up the hill to the (only) restaurant with the most deliciously fresh food, you eat there every single day.

Dublin, Ireland where you will fall in love with a city. It’s the colorful doors in the residential areas, the live music at the pubs, the cider, Phoenix Park in the fall and cruising beneath the Cliffs of Moher.

Escuinapa, Mexico where you lay on the beach day in and day out, without technology, with a book and a margarita in hand.

Florence, Italy where you fall in love with a country and a city all in one. Italians are the most fun, loving and kind. Italian food is the most delicious. Italy is the most beautiful. Can you tell Italy is my favorite place in the world? Can you tell Florence is my favorite city?

Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos where you will fall in love with the tropics, spend too much time in the sun on the white sand beaches, burn a bazillion calories snorkeling, eat the most delicious food with the most amazing locals and dream of going back every single day from the very minute you leave the island.

Granada, Spain where you will be reminded of home.

Krakow, Poland where you will be sobered by history.

London, England where you will fall for the most magical city and the sexiest of accents.

La Felce, Italy where you will fall head over heals for Tuscany and its Chianti wine.

Pick a place, any place!